Israel Diary
Jonny Lipczer, a former mazkir of Bnei Akiva and Director of Mizrachi, made aliyah in 2006. He lives in Jerusalem
At the ballot box on Tuesday, I played my part in selecting Jerusalem's next mayor. My opportunity to help direct the future of this holy city was a moving and rewarding experience.
I was faced with four names: the chareidi rabbi, Meir Porush; the Russian oligarch, Arkadi Gaydamak; the secular high-tech millionaire, Nir Barkat; and the cannabis advocate, whose name I have already forgotten.
Gaydamak's campaign slogan raised a smile. "Lo medaber, oseh!" means "Don't speak, do!" Opponents have defaced his election posters, replacing "oseh" with "ivrit". Now it reads: "Doesn't speak Hebrew" - a clear reference to his failure at speaking the local dialect.
During the past week, the election campaigning stepped up a pace, with the two leading candidates - Porush and Barkat - competing for the religious Zionist vote, a constituency that they were both trying to please.
Booklets appeared around the city published on behalf of the candidates, respectively including photos of them with leading figures in the religious Zionist community. Evidently appearing in a photo isn't a sign of their political support, as many leaders are pictured in both Porush's and Barkat's leaflets!
But there is more to being a Zionist than shaking the hand of one. Porush has evaded answering questions on whether or not he considers himself a Zionist, whereas Barkat's position couldn't be clearer. As well as assisting young people in finding homes, looking after the local economy, and ensuring a better education for the children of Jerusalem, I also want the leader of Israel's capital to be a proud Zionist.
At time of writing, the results hadn't been announced, although the exit polls suggest that Barkat will win. The new Mayor of Jerusalem - whoever it is - must now put the electioneering behind him and look after the needs of all of the city's residents - secular, ultra-orthodox and religious Zionist, as well as caring for the sensitivities of the non-Jewish citizens. Only then will we be able to call the eternal capital a united city.
Shabbat Shalom.
